Longridge golfer Young’s got Mark of class

Mark Young with the trophy

Published:13:53Sunday 24 June 2018

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Longridge’s Mark Young beat Ireland’s Brendan McCarroll in a one-hole playoff to win the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour’s Jessie May World Snooker Golf Championship at Clevedon Golf Club in Somerset.

Young carded rounds of 67, 72 and 66 to force a playoff with McCarroll (West Cliffs Golf Links) on the west coast.

McCarroll looked to be bringing home his first EuroPro Tour title with three holes left to play, but a three-shot cushion soon evaporated in the Somerset sunshine with a double bogey on the 16th followed by a bogey on the 17th.

Young, who had put his clubs away for the day, returned to the 18th tee in a bid to win his first title of the season.

The title was all but sealed after McCarroll found himself chipping short from the green-side bunker, leaving Young a small tap in to win £10,000 and the coveted trophy.

Young said: “I’m delighted with the win. It’s one that I feel is long overdue, I’ve been close a couple of times this year.

“I’ve not been in that situation since The Carrick a couple of years ago. It’s never nice to lose a playoff, I know what that is like so I’m over the moon to get it done.”

Young’s final round started off at a ferocious pace, finding himself six-under par through nine holes, and despite slowing up through the back nine he was confident in his game.

He said: “I knew I had to get off to a quick start which I did – my front nine put my name in the hat for the tournament.

“A couple of errant tee shots on the back nine cost me a few shots but when I saw my name up on the leaderboard I really didn’t expect it.”

Young in name and also in professional golfing experience, turning pro at 33 years old in 2014, he has not taken the conventional route to professional golf. He said: “I played a bit of football in my twenties, but as I got older I got some backing from some members at my local golf club, hopefully now they see it is bearing some fruit.

“I’ve had some great sponsors over the years, and hopefully they will stick with me a few more.”

The win moves Young to the top of the Order of Merit, and over £1,000 clear of his nearest rival Chris Gane. Brendan McCarroll’s best finish this season moves him 17 spots up to seventh on the list.